I need to rout a mortise that is 2" deep. The max I can go with my 690 and spiral bit is 1". I did a search and saw some bits in the $80-$100 range that might reach, but I am not going to pay that much.

Any suggestions before I use the DP and a chisel (ugh) to finish the remaining 1"?

Yeah, there are straight bits that will go down to 3", but they are pricey. 2" deep eh, pretty big tenon going into that. You could rip the stock to 2" wide, route from either side, then glue the falloff back on.

Mortise depth is a real problem with a router. That is why I am looking at buying a seperate mortiser. I hate to spend the money but over the long run I think that it would be worth it. Looking at the Woodtec 1HP.

I know that this is no help but just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

Mortise depth is a real problem with a router. That is why I am looking at buying a seperate mortiser. I hate to spend the money but over the long run I think that it would be worth it. Looking at the Woodtec 1HP.

I know that this is no help but just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

Allen

Yeah, most mortisers cut to about 4" max, a real advantage.

__________________Loring in Katy, TX USAIf your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.PM me (with your e-mail address) for a copy of the BT3 FAQ current vers 4.13

HF has a stand-alone mortiser that goes on sale from time to time at $99. If you've got a 20% off coupon, then it's $79. It's good enough for most non-pro jobs. There are also add-on mortiser kits for some drill presses, but most cost more than the HF stand-alone.

If you go buy a 1/2" end mill (for steel) of the 4 flute variety, I think you'll get very close to your 2" depth. Any supply store that sells to machine shops should have them for around $30-40.
Be VERY careful!!! Big & Sharp!!

__________________
Brian

Welcome to the school of lifeWhere corporal punishment is alive and well.

How wide is your mortise? Whiteside, CMT, and probably others make straight bits with 2" long cutters and about a 3-1/2" overall length, for like ~$20-22. The catch is that I think they're 1/2" diameter and up.

Am I the only one that would rip the piece in half and use a dado set and then glue-up??? (I guess I'm assuming this is a through-mortise, altho' I can't see any other reason that it would need to be 2" deep)

I don't have a mortiser, but a 2" mortise sounds killer to me. I don't have a router bit that long either nor am I sure I'd want to use one if I did, at least for mortising anyway. (call me paranoid).

Maybe I'm just

or off my rocker

__________________

If it ain't broke.. don't fix it!!!... but you can always 'hop it up' **one and only purchaser of a BT3C official thong**

It's no doubt a monster of a mortise. If it were a through mortise, it could be done by going 1" down from each direction, referencing from the same face. I agree though that a 2" mortise would be mighty scary.

I have a project in my future where I'll be doing a 3" deep dado with a router, 1.5" from either side, that'll be plenty scary enough for me, thanks.